ISTANBUL 

Aiming for stricter control of blood pressure can save lives and money, according to a new study published this week in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers found that maintaining systolic blood pressure below 120 millimeters of mercury prevented more heart attacks, strokes, and cases of heart failure than higher thresholds, while remaining cost-effective.

"This study should give patients at high cardiovascular risk and their clinicians more confidence in pursuing an intensive blood pressure goal," said lead author Karen Smith, an investigator at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

Smith noted that the benefits held even when blood pressure measurements were imperfect.

"Our findings suggest the intensive less than 120 mm/Hg target prevents more cardiovascular events and provides good value," she said in a news release.

The analysis, which drew on US health survey data and the landmark SPRINT trial, estimated that treatment at the tighter target cost about $42,000 per life-year gained, only slightly higher than the less-than-130 threshold.

Still, Smith cautioned that stricter targets are not for everyone.

"Given the additional risk of adverse events related to antihypertensives, intensive treatment will not be optimal for all patients," she said.

"Patients and clinicians should work together to determine the appropriate medication intensity based on patient preferences."